The American Red Cross is in the disaster response business. However, we can’t do this job alone. Partnerships are critical, and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about a working partnership between the Red Cross and the Jeffersonville Township Trustee’s Office.

The trustee’s office is unusual in that they take the initiative to contact our office to see if we need help in serving those affected by disaster, whether it be fire, flood, windstorm or other catastrophic event. Likewise, they are readily available to us when we call for help.

The Indiana Township Association’s Task Force, created last year for the purpose of analyzing current practices and proposing changes to enhance township government, is still at work. Dubbed “Best Practices for the 21st Century,” the goal of the task force to provide better service to the citizens of Indiana through the efficient use of tax dollars.

The 2010 Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday morning, March 13 without passing any reform measures for township government.  

This session marked the seventh in a row that the Indiana Township Association has fought  to maintain township government as we know it.  The first battle came in 2004 when then Representative Kuzman introduced House Bill 1155 to eliminate township government.

Since that time, each session of the General Assembly has heard bills to either reform or eradicate township government.  

The 2010 session included Senate Bill 240 - a measure that would have eliminated township boards and ended nepotism.  This bill left the senate and never received a hearing in the house.

For Educational Opportunities

The Indiana Township Association is the ONLY township association that provides educational opportunities for elected township officials and their employees. The ITA has educational conferences, hosts a web site, prints publications, and holds area meetings.